by T. G. Ayer
"What choice?"
"She can choose to remain with KALIMA, or she can come with us."
"And where exactly is 'with us'?" asked Maya wondering what her father had in mind.
"First, I need to download all my data to a safe location. They can't bug the place. The magical wards provide too much interference."
"But they can descend upon the house and confiscate what they deem relevant." Leela's smile was anything but pleasant.
Dev nodded. "They know I'd never abandon my daughter."
"You sure you don't want me to just agree with them and keep working for the agency?" asked Maya. "I still think that's the best idea. At least for now."
Leela shook her head. "It's a matter of principle. And integrity."
Maya snorted. "Principles and integrity can take a flying leap as far as I'm concerned. No offence, Mom. If what I'm doing by leaving KALIMA is going to endanger you guys, then it only makes sense for me to stay."
Dev leaned forward. "Maybe Maya has a point."
Leela glared at him horrified. "Are you insane?"
He smiled, the expression tender and sweet. "No I'm not insane. But I am right. Maybe she should take a case or two, and give us some time to get our things together."
Leela smiled, expression filled with relief as she sank back into the chair. She looked deflated, and Maya knew exactly why. It wasn't unlike what Maya was feeling right now.
The loss of Claudia had gone beyond just a paranoid fear. It was now a permanent thing. Claudia had crossed the line, and she'd been the one to break ties with them. Whatever she'd been up to all these months, she'd done with the single intention of pushing them away.
Maya looked at her dad. "I never understood until now how one small thing could have such big ramifications." He nodded understandingly, his face somber. "One thing that I did would cause such happiness, and at the same time heartbreak. But if I'd done something totally different, that too would have had its consequences. No matter which way we turn all we can do is the best at that point in time. Even hindsight is effed-up."
Maya grinned at her mum apologetically. "Sorry, Mom."
Leela waved her hand. "I completely understand. This whole day has been effed-up," she said with a sigh.
Though surprised, Maya didn't show it. Instead, she got to her feet and glanced up at Nik, wondering if he had anything to contribute. But he had a distant look on his face that told her his mind was elsewhere, deep in thought.
Dev was busy scanning his laptop. He looked up and said, "Maya, if you want to take a case to keep up the pretence, there is one that just came through. It hasn't been picked up yet. Probably because it's applicable to you in particular."
Maya nodded for him to elaborate.
"It's a case down in Mexico. A dancer dead in the small village outside of Nogales. You and Joss would make a legitimate team. And though I may not be able to accompany you on a case, I'm still your Section Chief."
"Okay. I'll take it." She looked up at Nik. "Did you know about this one?"
Nik shook his head. "No. But I'm not surprised. There are a lot of them and some haven't come up on my radar yet. Plus I only just got back to work." He shrugged.
"You want to give me a ride? Or do I have to use public transport for this one?"
Nik smiled. "'Course I'll give you a ride. Come, we'd better go. You just never know when I'm going to get called back."
Maya was walking out the door when her Dad called her name. She looked back at him. "We'll start looking at possible places to go to. We definitely have to leave this house. We might have to take Nik up on his offer at some stage. But for now, everything will continue as it is. You just take care of the case and take care of yourself."
"Don't do anything stupid." Her mom had to add that in, but Maya understood why she was reiterating Claudia's words. This is what had got them in the situation in the first place. Claudia was right. It was all Maya's fault.
Maya's fault for wanting to do things her way. Maya's fault for being rebellious.
Maya’s fault for wanting to be the hero.
She'd gotten way ahead of herself, perhaps too fond of the idea of saving the day, more than being part of a successful team. Something twisted in her gut as she began to wonder if Claudia had a point.
But she wasn't ready to say it yet. And to be honest she wasn't sure she'd ever be ready.
But the look on Claudia's face stuck in Maya's memory. Fear. What would she be afraid of? Maybe she knew her actions would drive her family away from her. That was probably it. Maya didn't have a choice in the matter.
As she turned to leave, she stopped again and glanced at her father. "Considering where we're at with KALIMA, can you maybe find out where Ria is right now? What if we leave and then lose touch with her. And what if she wants to be with us instead?"
Dev nodded. "I know exactly where she is. I'll get in touch. She's unlikely to know what's going on. Of course, she will also have the right to make the decision that's best for her. Don't go expecting her to choose you over the agency, okay? Remember that they gave her a place to hide, a new face and a new life."
Maya nodded. She was well aware of where they stood, well aware Ria may not side with them. She gave a sad sigh. "I know, and I don't expect her to agree with us. I just thought she had a right to know, and a right to make the decision herself. We still haven't seen her yet, so we have no idea what she's thinking."
Dev nodded. "Don't worry about it. I'll get that all sorted while you attend to this case."
He rummaged inside one of his drawers and withdrew a plastic bag.
Reaching out to Maya he said, "Pesos. You may need it. It's not much, but it's just in case." He paused as Maya took the bag, weighing the nomination of notes and coins in her palm. "Make sure you take Sabala with you. And be careful, okay?"
Maya nodded solemnly, not in the mood for any smart remarks. "About Joss. Technically she is family."
Her mom laughed. "Good point. But since Claudia only mentioned personal family, and she didn't say friends, I think you're good. If they ask any questions, you can just pretend ignorance. "
Maya shook her head. "If I didn't know any better, Mom, I'd say you were enjoying all the subterfuge. Pulling the wool over KALIMA's eyes suddenly looking like a lot of fun?"
Her dad huffed. "As much as it may feel like fun, don't forget they can be dangerous if they want to. They have agents out there who have no qualms about being merciless."
Maya frowned. "KALIMA has mercenary agents?"
He nodded. "I've never agreed with this part of the business. But the rest of the board always thought it necessary. Especially when the need arose to take out a demon long distance. We have a group of mercenaries consisting mostly of snipers and bombers. The problem with them is they've grown to see little difference between humans and demons, mostly because the demon targets bear human guises."
Leela got to her feet. "I think you've forgotten the part where the board decided to hire mercenaries who are able to kill demons with human faces because they're more bloodthirsty than your average assassin. They needed harder men. Then, we understood the reasoning behind it, but as time went on the mercenaries they hired were more dangerous, and less controllable."
Maya shook her head. "Can this get any worse?"
Maya and Nik ran into Joss in the hallway. Sabala was right at Maya's side, where' he'd been all through the last horrible hour.
Joss had a rucksack pulled over her shoulder and it seemed to be weighing her down. Nik reached for it and she gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks. That damned bag was heavier than I expected. Should have known better than to throw all those clothes into one bag." She rolled her shoulders and then looked from Maya to Nik, and then back again. "What's going on?" she asked, a suspicious look on her face.
Maya sighed and went to her friend, curling her arm around her shoulders. "So, we had this visit from a certain ex-friend, who basically told us we are all about to be ex-agents."
&
nbsp; Joss's mouth dropped open and she stopped to stare at Maya.
"Shut the front door." She paused. Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Don't tell me. Claudia."
Maya laughed. "Good guess."
But Joss was shaking her head. "Nope. I could see that happening a mile away."
The hellhound expelled a burst of air through his nose, clearly agreeing with Joss. Maya ignored him, asking Joss, "You could?" as they began to walk up the stairs. "How come you never mentioned anything to me?"
She shrugged. "Not exactly the type of thing one would mention to a friend who is hurting. I know what you guys went through. And I know how guilty you felt after Claudia was injured. Sometimes, no matter how much you tell someone something they don't listen to you because it's their own pain that's blocking them."
Maya grinned. "You sure you're not a reincarnated priestess of Wisdom?"
Joss snorted. "No I'm not. But I certainly could give one a run for her money."
She looked over her shoulder, and they noticed Nik was still standing at the bottom of the stairs staring at his cellphone.
"So he's back to staring at that thing twenty-four-seven?"
Maya had gotten used to it. And said as much.
But her friend shook her head. "I'm sure it must be enjoyable dating a guy who is permanently on his cell phone." At Maya's glare Joss rolled her eyes. "Okay fine, I know you guys have a special sort of relationship that precludes jealousy and possessiveness. I'm just not sure if I could be like you.
Maya punched her lightly on her shoulder. "That's the last thing we need to be thinking about right now. Get ready. We're going to Mexico."
Chapter 22
JOSS RAISED an eyebrow. "That's a first. Usually you don't want me to come with you."
Maya huffed as she tugged the doors of her closet open and began to change. The bottom of her boots were still stained red with blood from the scene in the theatre. She sank to the floor and untied the laces, chucking the boots into a corner before Joss could see their condition.
Maya really wasn't in the mood to have Joss interrogating her about the dead girl. But as she rummaged through her clothes in the closet. The sight of the blood caking her fingernails made her spin on her heel and head straight into the bathroom.
She turned on the faucet and began to soap her hands.
Ever since she'd had the dream she'd felt off balance, as if a strange energy tugged at her from deep within. But she'd kept it to herself, afraid it would only make them worry.
Not so long ago on that stage in London, Maya had felt the pull of that energy again.
Her stomach twinged just the tiniest bit. It must mean something, but she didn’t want to borrow trouble. Surely the effect would fade.
No doubt the dream would continue to affect her more so because she'd seen death first hand, experienced it as if it had been her own.
She'd tried not to think about what those girls had been through, how they'd died, how they'd suffered before they had died. She had to deal with the pain of it herself. Just until she managed to figure it out.
She shouldn't be feeling guilt. She knew that.
She'd done nothing to contribute to the girl's pain. And yet she still felt responsible.
As if being privy to their agony had made their pain a part of her.
She scrubbed her nails until her fingers turned red, until every last fleck of blood had been removed, then dried off and headed back into her room to throw on jeans and a comfortable shirt. Joss was sitting on Maya's bed, tapping away at her laptop. Not the one she used to do her home-school work.
Her agency laptop.
Maya stared at her, at the packed bag sitting at the foot of her bed, at Maya's wallet and cellphone that sat beside each other so she wouldn't forget on the way out. Maya stood where she was, pulling her jacket on and said, "Joss, there's something you should know."
Joss glanced up, a little distracted as she tried to read the screen and pay attention to Maya at same time. Maya waited until she focused solely on her.
"Claudia didn't get just my parents in trouble. You are included too. The new rule is no team shall comprise of people who are in a personal relationship." Joss's eyes widened. "Claudia mentioned family, and she only mentioned personal relationships in passing. So I suspect I can get away with pleading ignorance if we get into trouble. But I thought it was only fair you know about this before we leave. And then you make your own decision."
"And what decision is that?" asked Joss, a strange edge to her voice.
"As to whether you want to defy the orders of the agency and come with me. I think there will come a point where you'll have to make a decision about where your support lies. They may ask you to choose."
"Why would they?" Joss's cheeks were pink, and going another shade darker.
"In case we decide to do something that's against the rules," Maya said as a ripple of fear ran through her.
What if Joss just turned around and went straight to Claudia? Maya shook her head. She couldn't let herself believe Joss was capable of such betrayal.
Joss rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter what you do. Even if you break the rules, you know I'll support you and your family no matter what." Joss stopped and stared at Maya with narrowed eyes. "Did you think I wouldn't?"
"Of course not. But I didn't want to expect you to do something wrong just for us."
Joss snorted and got to her feet, dropping the laptop on her bed. "If it came down to it, a choice between KALIMA and you, I'd choose you any day. As far as I'm concerned you are family. Short of being a serial killer, and even then I would probably help you hide from the authorities, there isn't very much reason anyone can give me."
Maya blinked away tears, and smiled as they walked to the door. She glanced over her shoulder at the laptop. "Aren't you taking that?"
Joss shook her head. "Absolutely not. For all I know, there's a tracking device on it. I'd rather leave it here."
Maya laughed. "Joss, we are taking a KALIMA case. We're not making a run for it."
With a nod Joss said, "It doesn't make a difference. Now that I know what they're capable of, I don't feel very comfortable with them knowing exactly where I am and what I'm doing."
Heading out the door, Maya had to laugh softly. She should have expected Joss's reaction.
The sharp clacking on the wood floor told Maya that Sabala followed close behind them.
Joss turned and looked at the hellhound. "Are you coming with?"
"Of course, he is. He's likely going to be our only protection. I have a feeling Nik won’t have time to hang around. He’s going to just give us a ride. The border of Mexico is hardly the place to be without protection."
Joss's eyebrows reached for her hairline. "Maya, I like to live dangerously, but what the hell are you thinking?"
"Don't worry. We have a contact across the border who will take us to the location. There’s another dead dancer and we want to make sure this is one of ours first before we make any assumptions about how widespread the deaths are."
"Oh for the love of Mother Kali."
Maya couldn't help the laughter erupting from her lips. She managed to suppress it enough to turn it into a hacking cough but Joss glared at her.
"What?"
Maya cleared her throat as she saw Nik tucking the tablet into a small messenger bag which he slung over his shoulder. "I don't think Kali would appreciate such profanity."
"Profanity?" Joss scoffed. "That wasn't profanity."
"Well it was disrespectful."
Joss snorted. "Let Kali be the judge of that."
"Joss," admonished Maya.
Maya didn't have the chance to respond as Nik arrived beside them and gave them an expectant glance. "You ladies ready?"
Maya nodded. "Only thing I'm worried about is our Madus and knives aren't going to fend off a hail of bullets."
Nik looked amused. “Give me a moment. I’ll be back with guns and ammo." Then he was gone and Maya and Joss exchanged a c
urious glance as they waited.
He returned within seconds bearing a small metal box, which he lay on the floor. He flipped the lid and the girls peered inside.
Joss snorted. “Awesome. We have fire. We have guns. What more could a girl ask for.”
Chapter 23
NIK HELD OUT his hands, and Joss and Maya took one each and held on tight. The first thing Maya noticed was that Sabala, who had travelled on his own, hadn’t appeared beside Nik and the two girls when they materialized.
“Where’s the pooch?” she whispered to Nik.
Nik’s startled expression sent a quiver of fear through Maya. “Let me check.” Nik shuttered his eyes and concentrated, using his demigod powers to find out what was keeping Sabala. When Nik exhaled, Maya’s stomach tightened.
Something was wrong.
“He can’t travel here. Something is keeping him away.”
“Like what?” hissed Maya, annoyed. They’d arrived near the back wall of an old hut that looked about ready to fall down around their ears.
Nik shook his head. “I won’t know until I go back and speak to him. It could be any number of things including a magical ward.”
Joss’s eyes widened. “Here? In Mexico?”
He nodded. “Every culture has spells and rituals that allow them to keep demons out of specific areas.”
“So something is going on here that people don’t want demons or people with magic, to see.”
“Exactly.” Nik’s worried tone put Maya on edge. Could this get any worse?
She scanned the hut. The place was made with mud and straw, with a roof that seemed to have been thrown together from random pieces of metal. Maya squinted and could have sworn the ceiling materials were flattened gasoline cans.
She sank to the ground beside Nik and Joss. The little abandoned village was situated a few miles outside of Nogales, near the tourist hotspot of Merida. It sat on the outskirts of Mexico, on a long stretch of land that led to the US border. Because of its location, it had long been controlled by drug and gun runners. Likely also by slave runners too.
